THE CONCHO PADRE POST

Once again we are faced with another act of senseless terrorism. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Boston, especially those who were killed or injured and their families.

What does one say at a time like this? What is to be our reaction?

Of course, the first emotion we feel is one of anger that innocent people have been injured and killed. There is no rhyme or reason to these acts of terror. They are to be universally condemned.

But remember, the whole purpose of those who perpetrate these heinous acts is to make us afraid. That is why they are called terrorists and their acts called terrorism. They want us to terrorize us, to have us be afraid, to be too scared to go about our daily lives for fear that we will be their next victims.

We must not fall into their trap. We must go forward, living our lives as we normally do. In doing this, we do not forget those who have been affected by this horror; but we stand firm in saying that we will not succumb to the desired results of the terrorists.

I remember that Blessed John Paul II told us, “Do not be afraid.” Now our current Holy Father, Pope Francis, tells us to “never give in to pessimism.” Those sound like pretty good pieces of advice for all of us.

Let us continue to pray for an end to these attacks on humanity by those who apparently have no respect for human life, who will without any feelings of remorse or guilt take away innocent human lives in the pursuit of their own interests.

So, do not give up hope. Follow Christ in all things. He is our only hope and salvation!

The Concho Padre

O God, who open wide
the gates of the heavenly Kingdom
to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit,
pour out on your servants
an increase of the grace you have bestowed,
that, having been purged of all sins,
they may lack nothing that in your kindness you have promised.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

The Borgias, season 3, opened last night on Showtime.

If you remember, season 2 ended with Pope Alexander being poisoned. The final scenes were those of the young Franciscan Friar who poisoned him falling to the floor gasping for breath with blood streaming out of his eyes. Alexander was not in much better shape.

Last night we have Alexander being brought to his room, where the doctors said there was nothing they could do for him. However, Lucretia, the pope’s daughter (and holy harlot) said she had been reading about using charcoal to cure some poisonings. And so they did, pour lots of liquefied charcoal into the dying pope through a tube into his mouth and stomach. Amazing! We still do this to this day in the emergency rooms for poisonings and overdoses. Lucretia should be given an honorary Paramedic certificate!

While all of this is going on, Cesare (the pope’s son and resigned Cardinal) goes out after Cardinal Della Rovere, who he finds out was the one who orchestrated the poisoning. The good Cardinal was already on his way to the Vatican for the Conclave, presuming Pope Alexander to be dead. When he arrives and the other Cardinals tell him the boss is still alive, he does a two-step out of the palace, but is captured by Cesare.

Meanwhile, a plot is laid to kill the pope’s family. This one was hatched by Lady Catherine Sforza. Her cousin, Cardinal Sforza, informs Cesare and the others. People are killed, mostly guards and other bystanders, but the holy father’s family is saved.

In all of this excitement, Cardinal Della Rovere manages to escape, disguised as a corpse! He gives an impish smile, presumably as he dashes off to plot another papal murder!

The final scene shows Pope Alexander saying that they were now at war! Not quite sure whether it is a war against the Sforza’s or the cardinals.

Time will tell as we progress through this season.

I don’t believe that they have Showtime at the House of Martha in the Vatican where the current successor of Peter is living, but of course, it is my sincere prayer that Pope Francis will have a more serene experience as he continues his work of reforming the Church, especially the current Roman Curia!

By the way this is NOT a show for children!

The Concho Padre

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday evening at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Here is a report from CNS about the basilica and the pope’s visit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmKeFjdegRU&feature=youtu.be

The Concho Padre

These reflections are by Jesuit Father James Schall of Georgetown University. They appear in Catholic Pulse, a news and information website service of the Knights of Columbus.

http://www.catholicpulse.com/en/columnists/schall/040413.html

The Concho Padre